Factors Future Firm Lawyers Should Keep in Mind

By: Leona M. Hammill
Texas Lawyer and New Jersey Law Journal
May 30, 2008

I am a second year associate, and I look forward to work every day. Yes, it’s true. And no, I am not one of those people who just loves the law. How did I find the perfect job? Well, it was no accident.

As soon as I realized that I survived my first year of law school without crying or making a total fool of myself in class (that I know of), it was time to get my resume in order and hope for a decent summer clerkship, or two if I was lucky. Armed with a list of firms that would be interviewing on campus, I began the overwhelming process of trying to figure out which firms might actually pay me to work for them. Once I got past the basics — firm size, practice areas, salary, billable hours and location — I started focusing on what really matters: people, sense of ownership and open communication.

First, people matter. I cannot work with people I don’t like and respect and who don’t like and respect me. And by liking the people I work with, I don’t mean finding my new best friends. That’s unrealistic. But, do I click really well with more than a few people? Do we share the same basic ideals and work ethic? And if I have a different background or hold different views, would my diversity be valued or would I always feel left out?

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